Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)
The Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Tail-spot Combtooth-blenny, Stigma Blenny, or Tailspot Coralblenny is found in the Red Sea and Western Pacific Ocean and is native to the coastal waters of the Philippines and Indonesia.
The Tail Spot Blenny is a peaceful herbivore that inhabit the rocky shores of the coral rich reefs and rubble slopes of their range at depths from 6 to 100 feet where they graze on benthic algae and weeds.
Although adult Tail Spot Blennies are solitary and usually encountered as lone individuals close to the bottom, they are occasionally seen in small groups hiding amongst the crevices in the coastal lagoons and sheltered coral reef habitats of their range.
Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)
The Tail Spot Blenny has an elongated body, very large expressive eyes that have a bright yellow iris, and a small mouth. They have a coppery, orange brown to gray body color with a grayish blue head. A black and yellow line runs from below the eye to above axil, and a black and white spot on the base of the caudal fin gives it their common name.
The dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins are clear. When threatened, the vibrant colors below the eye turns a bright pink.
The Tail Spot Blenny is best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR tank of at least 20 gallon capacity with a coralline gravel substrate and plenty of algae encrusted live rock arranged into crevices, caves, ledges, and overhangs for them to graze, perch, and hide among. Sufficient lighting to promote a thriving population of algae on the live rock is essential for the well being of this species.
The Tail Spot Blenny thrives in mature reef tanks and is completely reef safe. They help control algae growing in the aquarium and will not bother corals, decorative clams, or invertebrates.
Although Tailspot Blennies are generally peaceful and will coexist with most peaceful tank mates, they can become territorial towards other blennies or similar looking fish species.
Suitable tank mates for Tail Spot Blennies include Dottybacks, Gobies, Anthias, Cardinalfish, Dwarf Angelfish, Fairy Wrasses, etc.
They should never be housed with larger aggressive species.
The Tail Spot Blenny has been bred in an aquarium environment. Successful breedings begin with the establishment of a safe, stress free environment where they can lay their adhesive eggs.
Start with a wild caught pair or with aquacultured juveniles in a tank with copious amounts of live rock. Pairs will typically spawn in the cavities of the rock or deposit their adhesive eggs on the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal.
The male Ecsenius stigmatura tends to guard and aerate the eggs by fanning them with his fins until they hatch out into small planktonic larvae that are often found in the shallow coastal waters of their range.
In an aquarium environment, the tiny fry should be removed to a rearing tank as soon as they are visible and fed with rotifers and phytoplankton. Daily 10% water changes are necessary until they grow out into juveniles.
In their natural environment, the Tail Spot Blenny feeds on benthic algae and several varieties of marine vegetation.
In an aquarium environment, they will keep down excessive algae growth in the tank but still require additional vegetable matter such as frozen herbivore preparations, dried foods containing marine and blue green algae, marine algae sheets, spirulina pellets, and finely chopped fresh or frozen vegetables.
The Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) is widely available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught or captive bred specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at prices that vary on size and area of collection.
Approximate purchase sizes are: Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″; Medium: 1-1/4″ to 1-3/4″; Large: 1-3/4″ to 2-1/4″. Prices range from $29.99 for small. to $45.99 or more for large specimens collected from the Philippines.
Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon (55+ gallons for pairs)
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOWLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.5″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Orange,Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Philippines and Indonesia
Family: Blenniidae
Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
